Key Democrat to vote for nominee

WASHINGTON — Sen. Joe Manchin said Friday he would vote to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson for the Supreme Court, signaling that Democrats are uniting behind her after a bruising set of hearings that showed deep opposition by Republicans.

The backing of Manchin, a centrist Democrat from West Virginia and a crucial swing vote, appeared to all but ensure Jackson’s confirmation. Manchin’s support was critical, since all 50 Senate Democrats may be needed to approve her nomination, given that few if any Republicans appear ready to support her in a vote Democrats hope to hold early next month.

Manchin had previously said he would be willing to support a Biden administration nominee with a more liberal perspective than his, but he had not specifically said he would vote for Jackson until he dispelled any question of his intentions with a statement Friday.

“After meeting with her, considering her record, and closely monitoring her testimony and questioning before the Senate Judiciary Committee this week, I have determined I intend to vote for her nomination to serve on the Supreme Court,” Manchin said.

Some conservatives tried to put pressure on him to oppose Jackson, pointing to what they claimed was a record of leniency in sentencing child sex offenders and charging that she was a liberal activist on abortion rights — which Manchin opposes — transgender rights and matters of race. But Democrats and others debunked the sentencing claims as distorted.

“Judge Jackson’s record and career are exemplary,” Manchin said.